[sion01]

While turning my horse manure heap I was surprised by how hot it was only about 6 inches from the surface.About 2 foot down it was almost too hot to touch.Is it worth trying to make a hotbed with some of it.What veg respond best to this treatment.Should I just stick to spreading it on the surface in the autumn?

[davejg]

Google making a hotbed & theres loads of info out there http://www.victorianflowergarden.com/garden/hotbeds.html
Best veg as i remember is early carrots & salad veg

[solway cropper]

If you have a greenhouse or cold frame it would be a good idea if you want early crops although on a small scale it probably isn't worth the hassle. In the 1960s I worked for a large country estate and the greenhouses there had hotbeds thirty or forty feet long against a south facing wall which produced loads of early fruit and veg. They also had half a dozen gardeners to do the work!

[gobs]

I'd agree, it would be a good idea. However, personally, I'd want to build one at a different time of the year for melons, for example.

[lazydog]

In the victorian times there where a lot more horses about to make the required supplies for a hot bed